Sky Sports presenter Joe Thomlinson has claimed that Southampton may well be annoyed that Steve Cooper is essentially no longer available to hire as a possible manager amid reported uncertainty over Ralph Hasenhuttl.
According to a recent report in The Telegraph, Saints boss Hasenhuttl is under much pressure and could well be sacked in the near future if he can’t turn things around on the south coast.
Despite facing similar circumstances in his position at Nottingham Forest, Cooper has recently been backed by his board as they have handed him a new contract until 2025.
This development at Forest means that if Southampton do fire Hasenhuttl, Cooper may no longer be viewed as a realistic option as a replacement.
While talking about this on Twitter, Thomlinson claimed that this news might have ‘annoyed’ those who call the shots for the Saints as the NFFC man would have made a ‘great fit’.
Indeed, he wrote: “Great decision to stick by Steve Cooper. He’s earned that loyalty!
“I reckon Southampton might be a bit annoyed though… He felt like a great fit for that squad if Ralph left.”
TIF Thoughts on Steve Cooper, Ralph Hasenhuttl and Southampton…
Cooper did a pretty remarkable job in getting Forest promoted from the Championship last season, and although life in the Premier League has been tricky so far – they enter the weekend at the foot of the table – his past achievements have evidently earned him enough time to have a real shot at turning things around.
Under Hasenhuttl so far this term, Southampton haven’t fared much better, either. Indeed, they sat 16th in the league prior to their clash against Manchester City, having picked up just three more points than Nottingham Forest.
So it’s no shock that the Saints boss is under pressure, but perhaps his superiors will be tempted to give him a little more time seeing as a manager of Cooper’s quality is seemingly no longer on the market.
Will Ralph Hasenhuttl last until Christmas as Southampton boss?
Yes
No
